Andiwo Obondo Foundation in partnership with One-acre Fund have distributed over 5,000 tree seedlings to schools and churches in Bondo sub county to mitigate negative effects of climate change in the region.
Speaking during an interview with KNA, the Executive chairperson of Andiwo Obondo Foundation Mr Andiwo Mwai disclosed that the partnership saw more than fifty schools and churches benefit from 100 tree seedlings in line with the foundations’ pillar of environmental protection.
Andiwo disclosed that while One-acre fund paid for 40 percen of the total cost of the seedlings distributed, Andiwo Obondo shouldered the remainder of the costs.
“Distribution of tree seedling has been one of our core activities as a foundation over the last three years because it fulfills one of our pillars which is environmental protection. This time, we reached out to One-acre fund for partnership because we learnt that they have a program on environmental protection and instead of buying seedlings from local nurseries in the community as we have been doing in previous years, we sourced the same seedlings from one-acre fund at a lower price and they were willing to cover 40 percent of the costs,” he explained.
The executive chairperson stated that the distribution of tree seedlings to schools is in line with the governments’ efforts to increase forest cover to 10 percent by the year 2030 and will immediately help Siaya County to increase both its forest and tree cover which are currently under 2 percent and under 4 percent respectively.
He disclosed that over the last four years, the foundation has distributed over 20,000 tree seedlings to public primary schools and the foundation targets to reach all the 95 public secondary schools in Bondo and Usigu sub counties with tree seedlings.
One Acre fund officer Vivian Achieng said the partnership between the two organizations has ensured that many schools and farmers benefit with an aim of increasing tree cover around Bondo.
“If you look carefully, you will realize that the place has no tree but is mostly covered in shrubs; as an organization our role is to grow quality seedlings which are distributed to farmers through such partnerships,” Achieng said.
She disclosed that through the Tupande initiative, they endeavor to encourage farmers to plant trees in the region by providing an additional 40 tree seedlings for any farmer who purchases a tree from their nursery.
Samuel Otieno from Dunya comprehensive school which benefited from the tree seedlings expressed gratitude for the initiative saying the program which has also included fruits trees will not only address problems of low tree cover but also malnutrition and also ensure classroom roofs are not blown away by wind as has been the case in the past.
By Brian Ondeng
